Biography
Ray Dorset achieved prominence through his group Mungo Jerry, which produced one of 1970’s top-selling singles. The skiffle-infused blues track “In the Summertime” achieved sales exceeding 30 million copies across the globe and established itself as a seasonal favorite. A rendition by Shaggy, included in the movie Flipper, returned the composition to the number one position. Elton John has also covered the piece. Dorset earned a pair of Ivor Novello awards for his songwriting contributions.
Already a seasoned musician upon assembling Mungo Jerry in 1969, Dorset had launched his initial ensemble, the Blue Moon Skiffle Group, which included Phil Collins on percussion, at the age of eleven. Three years afterward, he made a short-lived addition to Jackie Edwards’ ensemble. During the early 1960s, his outfit the Concords maintained a regular performance slot alongside the Rolling Stones at Richmond’s Station Tavern.
After establishing Good Earth alongside keyboardist Colin Earl, along with Paul King handling guitar, kazoo, and jug, upright bassist Mike Cole, and washboard player Joe Rush, Dorset secured a deal with the independent Saga label. Executives terminated the agreement upon learning of the ensemble’s jug band orientation.
Transitioning to Dawn Records and adopting the moniker Mungo Jerry, Dorset and his colleagues achieved instant recognition. Their inaugural appearance occurred at a festival in the small village of Hollywood near Newcastle-Under-Lyme, sharing the stage with acts including the Grateful Dead, Jose Feliciano, Ginger Baker’s Air Force, and Black Sabbath. Nevertheless, their lighthearted sound dominated media attention.
Issued during June 1970, “In the Summertime” became an instant success. It attained the thirteenth chart position merely three days post-release and ascended to the summit of the UK pop listings the following week, with domestic sales surpassing six million units. The single lingered in the Top 50 for twenty weeks, including seven at the top spot.
This achievement marked the zenith for Dorset and Mungo Jerry. Subsequent UK number ones arrived via “Baby Jump” and “Lady Rose,” yet international traction proved elusive. By 1972, the lineup had dwindled to Dorset supported by an array of players such as former Chicken Shack drummer Paul Hancox and Bob Daisley, who later joined Ozzy Osbourne’s band.
Dorset emerged as among England’s earliest white artists to blend in disco elements, authoring the UK chart-topping disco single “Feel Like I’m in Love” for Kelly Marie during 1980. His solo effort Cold Blue Excursion appeared in 1972, succeeded by the 1987 release A Case for the Blues, which featured ex-Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green. John Van Der Kiste and Derek Wadeson authored the comprehensive account Beyond the Summertime, issued by A&F Publications in 2002.
Already a seasoned musician upon assembling Mungo Jerry in 1969, Dorset had launched his initial ensemble, the Blue Moon Skiffle Group, which included Phil Collins on percussion, at the age of eleven. Three years afterward, he made a short-lived addition to Jackie Edwards’ ensemble. During the early 1960s, his outfit the Concords maintained a regular performance slot alongside the Rolling Stones at Richmond’s Station Tavern.
After establishing Good Earth alongside keyboardist Colin Earl, along with Paul King handling guitar, kazoo, and jug, upright bassist Mike Cole, and washboard player Joe Rush, Dorset secured a deal with the independent Saga label. Executives terminated the agreement upon learning of the ensemble’s jug band orientation.
Transitioning to Dawn Records and adopting the moniker Mungo Jerry, Dorset and his colleagues achieved instant recognition. Their inaugural appearance occurred at a festival in the small village of Hollywood near Newcastle-Under-Lyme, sharing the stage with acts including the Grateful Dead, Jose Feliciano, Ginger Baker’s Air Force, and Black Sabbath. Nevertheless, their lighthearted sound dominated media attention.
Issued during June 1970, “In the Summertime” became an instant success. It attained the thirteenth chart position merely three days post-release and ascended to the summit of the UK pop listings the following week, with domestic sales surpassing six million units. The single lingered in the Top 50 for twenty weeks, including seven at the top spot.
This achievement marked the zenith for Dorset and Mungo Jerry. Subsequent UK number ones arrived via “Baby Jump” and “Lady Rose,” yet international traction proved elusive. By 1972, the lineup had dwindled to Dorset supported by an array of players such as former Chicken Shack drummer Paul Hancox and Bob Daisley, who later joined Ozzy Osbourne’s band.
Dorset emerged as among England’s earliest white artists to blend in disco elements, authoring the UK chart-topping disco single “Feel Like I’m in Love” for Kelly Marie during 1980. His solo effort Cold Blue Excursion appeared in 1972, succeeded by the 1987 release A Case for the Blues, which featured ex-Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green. John Van Der Kiste and Derek Wadeson authored the comprehensive account Beyond the Summertime, issued by A&F Publications in 2002.
Albums
Live
